Gareth asked...

And Rose said YES! (Eventually)...

There! Secret number 2 is out!! Isn't it gorgeous?? I'm so excited. With a baby and now a wedding, 2009's going to be a heck of an exciting year for our family and I can't wait! It's about time that good things started to happen around here!

So, how it did it all happen? Well, it's Rosanne's birthday today, so we had dinner for the family (her now future in laws included). Gareth spoke to my dad while I was still on holiday and my mom had seen the ring already. Rosanne had given Gareth some guidance (i.e. told him) on which ring she liked, so they'd obviously discussed it all quite thoroughly. Still, she had no idea that it was all going to happen last night. I had a vague inkling, when Gareth phoned me on Monday evening to check that we had enough champagne glasses, but only really knew for sure when he showed me the ring in the bathroom. Boy, oh, boy - I could hardly keep a straight face as he poured the sparkling wine before dinner...

We got the cake ready, sang to Rosie and then while she was holding the cake, Gareth slipped the ring into her glass...

Gareth then proceeded to make a speech - he was SO nervous and I think that he was so brave to do it in front of us all. It was so special for us to be there when they got engaged - I was 8 when Rosanne was born and it's been wonderful watching her grow up. Anyway, Gareth started by wishing her a happy birthday, then told her how much he loved her, but said that he was sick of being her boyfriend and would she rather be his wife...

Rosanne's reaction was to laugh at him. Nice one, Rose. I mean, I've always joked that I'd say 'no' when a guy asked (I said yes before I even thought with Jacque), just to see his reaction - meanie that I am, but I'm not sure that laughing was any better. Poor guy...

Anyway, the more she laughed, the more she laughed...

And she drank. I mean, that's the champagne with the ring in it...

And still, she laughed...

And then she laughed some more...

And, eventually after some prompting, she looked into her glass... And look what she found... So she laughed some more and gave the obvious answer. Gareth put the ring on her finger... They laughed some more... and then kissed... After all that, we had dinner and then we drank. I have a terrible headache this morning - it's the price I knew I'd have to pay for mixing my drinks. Red wine and sweet sparking wine are just not good together. This is a fact I already knew 'cos I've tested it before. Anyway, I got past the point of caring, so I just didn't care... Me and the camera had some fun and made Rose and Gareth pose for some engagement photos. They're not good at all, a sure sign of how much wine I'd had to drink. Come on, though, he had to get down on one knee... Nice shoes, Rose. Really. This one's the nicest...

And then, cos I was a bit tipsy, I cashed in on a cuddle with my future brother-in-law. I mean, seriously, besides Jake, I don't get many men-cuddles these days. I need to work on that and get myself sorted, as someone reminded me this morning...

I was so tipsy, I couldn't even keep my eyes open for the flash... But they're cute pictures of Rosanne and Gareth. And they're happy memories and it was my camera. And yes, I agree, they should've been of just Rosanne and Gareth, but I wasn't thinking rationally at that point... Just one last thing on the subject of the engagement - Rose, do you realise that this man's going to be the father of your children??? Good luck!

So, ending off with some messages to my family (and these come in no particular order)...

Firstly... to the ones this post is dedia huge congratulations to Gareth & Rosanne on their engagement. Enjoy this special time in your lives together, it's going to fly by. Have fun with all the planning and preparations (even though I've already been nominated as the wedding planner). You guys are so well suited and deserve all the happiness in the world together!

Secondly... Still on the subject of the above - Happy 23rd birthday Rose!! You're a fab little sister and it's been really wonderful having you in our lives. It's been amazing watching you grow into the gorgeous woman (umm...lady?) you are today. I wish you an exciting love-filled year ahead!

Thirdly... (and definitely not last) Paul, congratulations on passing your exams!!! You're a super star and i knew you could do it. Paul is mybrother-in-law and he's just qualified as a chartered financial analyst (in other words, he's a genius). I also promise not to call you 'One Ball Paul' any more. He's not, by the way, it was just something I heard on the radio when Jo started mentioning Paul's name from time to time in the early days. And my sister confirmed that he's not the guy they were talking about on the radio anyway. Paul's also a superstud, as he frequently reminds us. Congrats again, brother, you did us proud!

And that's it. Oh, just this last photo of the sunrise this morning...

Pretty hey? This was taken through the window in Jake's room at 7:30 this morning.

Hope everyone's well and happy!

Love,

Sue

xxx